Wonder if I have Neumothorax...

[John_33_2008]

I also have sleep apnea and lately difficulty breathing during the day.  What were your symptoms when you had Neumothorax?

John.


This discussion is related to Pneumothorax � Sleep Apnea.

[ASpenFL]

I realize this is a late response but hopefully will help someone curious about the symptoms of pneumothorax.  I have had pneumothoraces, supposedly catamenial related to endometriosis, constantly about once a month or less, since 13 months ago.  I had no symptoms of any respiratory illness except for a slight dry cough.  Every once in a while I would feel a little dizzy while seated but I attributed this to sinus problems because I have allergies.  A few times I had a knife-like pain in my back on the ribs, but not often enough to relate it to anything and not severe.  

I did have ongoing shoulder pain that my doctor thought was radiating from my neck, but x-rays and EMGs failed to reveal a problem.    

Finally I had a chest x-ray that revealed a 15% to 20% pneumothorax.  

Other than that I had no symptoms, and once after a CT scan done to document resolution of the previous pneumothorax, I was found to have a 40% pneumothorax.  The hospital staff was amazed how I felt completely normal with no pain, and saturating 100% oxygen!

I eventually had surgery for thoracotomy and pleurodesis, but I continue to have the pneumothoraces all the time.  Fortunately the surgery prevents them from getting larger than 20% or so, so they don't require chest tubes any longer (Those are the worst!! Worse than any of the pneumothoraces!).  I still have no pain or significant cough, but I can tell when I have one because I feel a large air bubble inside my ribs/side/flank that moves when I bend over and reach.  Very annoying.  

I was told that I will continue to have pneumothoraces until after menopause (wacky!).  Just a few years off, hopefully...